Senegal vs Botswana Preview: Team News & Prediction
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A star studded Senegal side, while transitioning, are perhaps still towards the end of their so-called ‘golden generation’ as they take on an average Botswana side.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Matches will be televised across the Channel 4 network / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – All 4 & Channel 4 Sport YouTube / USA – beIN Sports Connect & Fubo
Senegal preview: Pape Thiaw’s Senegalese
Former Senegal ‘A’ coach Pape Thiaw took charge of the Senegalese first-team in mid-November, following the departure and potential stagnation of Aliou Cisse, and they have improved once again as they head into AFCON as one of the favourites.
Their impressive, and more clinical attacking nature, was on show in the autumn with an 8-0 friendly win against Kenya following a 4-0 win against Mauritania and a 5-0 win against South Sudan, as well as beating DR Congo 3-2 from 2-0 down.
Botswana preview: Average Botswana
In CAF qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Botswana managed just three victories with a draw in their ten matches as they finished fifth in Group G, 15 points behind group winners Algeria.
Under the management of Morena Ramoreboli, the Botswana national side are currently ranked 138th in the world and do appear to be one of the weaker teams in this version of AFCON.
Senegal team news: Camara and Diao withdraw
Having been called up last week, both Ilay Camara and Como attacker Assane Diao have had to withdraw from the Senegal squad due to respective injury issues.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; I. Gueye, L. Camara, P. Sarr; I. Sarr, Jackson, Mane
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Botswana team news: Limited options
Botswana have a small squad to choose from and they do not have many options. As a result, their eleven is fairly predictable and will be similar to recent FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kaosipula; Velaphi, Leinanyane, Gaolaolwe, Johnson; Seakanyeng, Mohutiswa, Ditsele; Boy, Sesinyi, Orebonye
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Senegal vs Botswana prediction
The Senegalese will head to the north of Africa expecting to go very deep into the tournament. They have a lot of experience and have made themselves so good on the back of being difficult to beat, controlling the opposition. They face a Botswana side that have a limited side and have declined away from an improvement about a half a decade or so, and Senegal will have to be viewed as favourites to ease to victory here.
Senegal vs Botswana tip: Senegal to win to nil
